The Recently opened Coco Club Resort – 20 km south of Pattaya – staged Thailand’s first Indoor Lawn Bowls Tournament on 14th March 2012 as a memorial event with 16 triple teams – 48 players – fighting for the honour of being Thailand’s First Indoor Lawn Bowls Champions.
Starting at 9.30 a.m. (the first bowlers from Bangkok arrived at 7.30 a.m.) and finishing at 7.00 p.m. it was a long day but the hosts kept the international players from Australia, England, Scotland, Holland and of course Thailand going with sandwiches, fruit and water during the day.
Winners and runners-up (back row) David, Frank, Dennis and (front row) Pin, Lek, and Pimpimon relax after a long day of bowling.
Spectators were able to sit at the adjoining bar with a beer, cheering on the teams and even the heat of the day and the slight evening rain could not affect the proceedings.
The four leagues played a round robin to qualify for the semi finals with two leagues A and B producing easier winners but the other two leagues were tied and a very different story.
In League C one team won easily on bowls difference but league D produced a three way tie and a one bowl point advantage on countback to the “cowboys” over players from the Thai Men’s National Team.
Winners Dave, Dennis and Frank celebrate the spoils of victory.
The semi finals progressed and drew together “The Cowboys” to play the three young Thai National Ladies players under floodlight in the final and the girls put up a great fight in the final but the winners showed even in winning the spirit of the day by sharing their Champagne prize with the girls!
Winners Dave, Dennis and Frank received 30,000 baht and trophies from Coco Club with the 12 bottles of Champagne donated by Siam Winery of Mont Clair fame and the runners up Lek, Pimpimon and Pin received 15,000 baht and trophies donated by Fantasy Bar in Jomtien and some Champagne.
Semi-finalists received trophies and massage vouchers donated by Pattaya Expat Magazine and Pattaya Today newspaper.
Following the formalities a buffet and band were available to commemorate the Jack Bryant Memorial Trophy.
